Date Published: 10/03/2026

Lorca hotels packed for Easter rush

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New rural hacienda joins 1,485 beds as bookings soar 70% ahead of Holy Week

Lorca's hotels and tourist stays are filling up fast for Easter, with peak days from Maundy Thursday to Easter Saturday already at full capacity. Other days sit at 70% booked, while the Parador de Turismo is at 60%, according to Juan Francisco Martínez, director of the Murcia Region Tourism Institute (ITREM). The town now offers 1,485 beds, up 255 since January 2025 thanks to more tourist apartments, holiday homes and rural houses.

Tourist apartments have jumped from 11 to 31, adding 106 beds. Holiday homes rose from 31 to 52 for 271 beds in total. Rural houses reached 46 with 363 beds, including the newest spot, Hacienda San Julián in La Hoya hamlet. This manor house has eight bedrooms, five bathrooms and sleeps up to 16. ITREM gave the green light last week after an inspection.

Owner María Sanz-Pastor wants to preserve the almost two-century-old property, which spans 2,400 square metres over three floors on a 140,000-square-metre plot. "To be able to maintain it so that it doesn't cost my children money in the future," she said, so they won't need to sell due to upkeep costs. It's protected with structural safeguards and an original garden design. Easter bookings are already in, and it will appear on international sites soon.

Martínez noted this addition "will be very beneficial in strengthening" options "during peak periods such as Holy Week and when there are major events," plus for weddings at the estate.

The hospitality sector shares the buzz. Rosa Perán, president of hoteliers' group Hostelor, reports 80% reservations in bars and restaurants. They hope good weather helps and have asked the Ayuntamiento for street bar permits and extra outdoor space, as always for this key event.

Apartments and tourist lets now provide 377 beds, showing a real boom. For Lorca locals and visitors, it's shaping up as a lively Holy Week that supports the community economy.

You might also be interested in: Free guided tours for staying overnight in Lorca hotels!

Image: jackmac34/Pixabay

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Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

Lorca Tourist Office

The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites, and historic buildings, around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Among these are Lorca Castle, the Jewish quarter of the castle and synagogue, Plaza de España, Colegiata de San Patricio, Museo de Arqueologico Municipal, Iglesia de San Francisco, Casa Huerto Ruano, Palacio de Guevara, Iglesia de San Mateo, Pósito de los Panaderos, Convento Virgen de las Huertas, Antiguo Convento de la Merced, Iglesia del Carmen and the Teatro Guerra.

Lorca Tourist Office Unfortunately Lorca has also been prone to natural disaster, suffering a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as two earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.5 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011, claiming 9 lives. Since this earthquake the city has been rebuilding, winning recognition for its Lorca, Open for Restoration initiative, which used the restoration of the city as a tourist attraction whilst it rebuilt its historical buildings, some of which are currently still not open.

The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).

Lorca also has an area of coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!

Lorca Tourist Office

However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.

Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.